Rep. Elise Stefanik Calls for Resignation of Councilwoman Over ‘Rabid Dog’ Comment on Trump
Francis Chung / POLITICO via AP file
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is demanding the resignation of a local councilwoman in upstate New York who made a controversial comparison between the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and putting down a rabid dog. The New York Post reported that Stefanik, the chair of the House Republican Conference, condemned the remarks made by Potsdam Town Board Member Christine Paige.
In a strongly worded statement, Stefanik said, “Far Left Democrats supporting political violence and the assassination of President Trump are shameful and do not deserve to represent the great people of the North Country. Potsdam Town Board Member Christine Paige must be condemned by the NY Democrat State Party, and she must resign in disgrace after she said shooting President Trump would be like ‘putting down a rabid dog.’”
Paige’s comments, which sparked outrage, were made during a Facebook exchange where she reportedly wrote, “I have seen no credible proof that [Trump is] a human being. Maybe you know something we don’t. To me, it would be akin to putting down a rabid dog.” Despite the backlash, Paige told North Country Now that she would not apologize, asserting her right to freedom of speech.
The controversy has also drawn criticism from fellow Democrats in the Potsdam government. Marty Miller, the town supervisor, expressed his frustration, saying, “I can tell you firsthand this selfish act of one person’s satisfaction has been a nightmare for me and the rest of the Board the last couple of weeks.”
The inflammatory remarks come in the wake of an assassination attempt against Trump, which occurred last month at an event in Butler County, Pennsylvania. The assailant, Thomas Crooks, whose motive remains unclear, climbed onto a warehouse roof overlooking the rally and opened fire on Trump and the crowd with an AR-15-style rifle. The attack was thwarted by the Secret Service counter-sniper team, who neutralized Crooks before he could inflict any harm.
An investigation into the security breach is ongoing, focusing on how the Secret Service failed to properly secure the area. The incident has heightened tensions, making Paige’s comments even more controversial and drawing calls for accountability from both sides of the political aisle.
As the situation develops, Stefanik and other Republicans continue to pressure Paige to step down, arguing that her statements are not only inappropriate but also contribute to a dangerous climate of political violence.
